The Government assault on privacy

From expanded Police data powers to undermining the UK’s privacy regulator, the Government is rolling out a multifaceted attack on our hard won rights to privacy.

Of chief concern is the Government’s “Data: a new direction” proposal to overhaul the UK’s basic privacy laws. A wholesale rollback of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) spells the loss of countless protections that prevent data discrimination.

From workers and children to NHS patients and victims of domestic violence, GDPR protects us all. But if the Government has their way, our hard won rights to challenge data abuse will disappear.

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A toothless regulator

The Government is also seeking to undermine the essential independence of the UK’s privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). By installing a corporate shill who values business interests over individual rights, victims of data abuse will have no one to turn to.

Expanded Police data powers

The assault to privacy extends to law enforcement as well. Proposals to dramatically expand Police data powers with little accountability are being advanced via the Police and Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill as well as the National Fraud Initiative NFI). Neither includes privacy protections.

UK Police speaking to a woman on the street
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The global privacy race to the bottom

The Government’s rush to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) brings privacy threats from overseas. Other CPTPP member countries could use the agreement to force the UK into accepting low privacy standards. That would mean that when your personal data flows to those countries, it would be defenceless.

To fight back on all these fronts, we need you with us. Join Open Rights Group’s (ORG) dedicated network of members and supporters today.

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The Story So Far

ORG response to Data: a new direction

We submitted our response to Government plans to deregulate data protection, also known as “Data: a new direction”.
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Data Grab Bill is Government revenge on NHS patients

Health data has become one of the most valued prizes of the surveillance economy, but they aren’t being used to “save lives”.
Read more

Lord Frost says: bypass Parliament to rewrite EU rules

Government is considering demanding powers to rewrite any and all ‘retained EU legislation’ while bypassing Parliament.
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Weakening privacy will fuel online harms

Government is asking a big question: how do we regulate the tech industry?
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Vandalising data rights

Anything you say and do can and will be used against you.
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Why on earth is the Government mucking about with our privacy laws?

Thursday evening, the UK Government published their long-awaited proposal for a new UK data protection regime.
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Government prepares to take back control – of your privacy

The UK Government has unveiled their plans to deregulate data protection laws.
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Fear and loathing in the UK adequacy decision

On June 28, the European Commission adopted the UK adequacy decision, which will allow personal data to be transferred from the EU to the UK without additional safeguards.
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Stand Up for Privacy

Yesterday, on June 16, the Taskforce on Innovation, Growth and Regulatory Reform published a report outlining their vision to “refresh the UK’s approach to regulation now that we have left the EU”.
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Don’t let the Government create a digital Police state

You might be aware of plans to give Police more powers through the Police, Crime, Sentencing & Courts Bill 2021.
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The Government assault on your privacy rights

It has been a busy few months for developments on privacy, even placing the COVID response aside.
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Wanted: corporate lobbyist to take over the ICO

Communicating “the wider benefits of data sharing”, “commercial and business acumen”, experience “of using data to drive innovation and growth”; and, of course, “excellent communication and relationship management skills”.
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